The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission says its peace Monitoring and Evaluation Team leader in Torit, Imatong state, has been detained by local authorities.

The monitors are deployed around the country to report any violation of the ceasefire by the peace partners and civilians do not suffer deteriorating security situations.

They have also been deployed to confirm presence of opposition forces and their areas of cantonment.

It is not clear why the leader of the monitoring team in Torit was arrested.

In his opening remarks during a meeting of the JMEC this afternoon, the JMEC Chairperson, Festus Mogae says this violates provisions of the peace agreement.

Mr Mogae also says monitors have been restricted from access in Yambio.

“I regret that there has been another denial of access in Yambio of Monitoring and Verification Team by local authorities, even though letters were sent to the JMCC to ensure that all government authorities in Yambio are informed of the deployment of the Monitoring and Verification Team,” said the former Botswanan president.

“I therefore call upon the government …to abide by the provision of the agreement that calls for unimpeded freedom of movement and access for CTSAMM.”

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Monitoring Mechanism, eight Monitoring and Verification Teams have been deployed in the most conflict-affected areas of the country.

The areas cover the Greater Equatoria, Greater Bahr Al Ghazal and Greater Upper Nile.